Nov 27 Holiday Cocktail Concoctions Your Guests Will Surely Love

Nothing says holiday like a good happy hour! But instead of hitting the bars with your friends this season, why not gather everyone in the comfort of your own home and create your own cocktail concoctions your guests will surely love!

We've curated and tried these cool sips for you! Impress them with these fun, fancy drinks and upsize your celebrations.

1. Sandra Lee's Candy Cane Cocktails

foodnetwork.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

✔ 1 shot vanilla rum

Add all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with candy cane

✔ 1 shot white chocolate liquor (recommended: Godiva or Baileys)

✔ 1 shot peppermint schnapps

✔ Candy cane for garnish

*Good for one serving

The Verdict: 8/10 since we're not big fans of very sweet drinks

Perfect for: Partnering with light desserts

2. Apple Brandy Cordials

realsimple.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

✔ ¾ cup brandy

Combine the ingredients in a large pitcher. Serve over ice. Garnish each glass with apple slices.

✔ ½ cup apple juice

✔ &frac13; cup Cointreau

✔ ¼ cup fresh lemon juice

✔ Apple slices for garnish

*Good for four servings

The Verdict: 10/10 (We're not big fans of very sweet drinks

Perfect for: Welcoming your guests

3. Ina Garten's Mulled Wine

foodnetwork.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

✔ 4 cups apple cider

Combine the ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Pour into mugs. Add an orange peel to each and serve.

✔ 1 (750 ml) bottle of red wine (recommended: Cabernet Sauvignon)

✔ ¼ cup honey

✔ 2 cinammon sticks

✔ 1 orange, zested and peeled

✔ 4 whole cloves

✔ 3 star anise

✔ 4 oranges peeled for garnish

*Good for eight servings

The Verdict: 9.5/10 - The perfect warm drink!

Perfect for: Accompaniment to meat dishes and breads

4. Inspired Creamsicle Fizz

delish.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

✔ sugar

Rim a champagne flute with sugar. Fill cocktail shaker with ice, vanilla vodka, and orange juice. Shake then strain mixture into flute. Top with champagne, Cava, and Prosecco. Garnish with orange slice.

5. Zare at Fly Trap Inspired Spanish Cobbler

marieclaire.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

✔ orange wheels

Place 1 orange wheel in the bottom of each glass. Add 1 to 1 ½ sugar syrup and fill &frac23; of the way with crushed ice. Add wine of your choice to each portion and lightly stir. Pack glasses with fruit. Top drinks with lemon rind. Enjoy bites of wine-soaked fruit as you sip!

✔ sugar syrup

✔ crushed ice

✔ your favorite champagne or wine

✔ fresh seasonal small fruit (grapes, berries, etc.)

✔ lemon rind for garnish

*Good for one serving

The Verdict: 10/10 - Fun to make and drink! Guaranteed to wow your guests

Perfect for: Wine-infused fruity desserts!

6. Lemony Gin Punch

realsimple.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

✔ ½ cup sugar

In a small saucepan, bring the sugar and 1 cup water to a simmer. Remove from heat. Stir in the honey and let cool. In a large pitcher, combine the sugar syrup with the club soda, lemon juice, and gin. Serve over ice. Garnish each glass with a lemon wedge.

✔ ¼ cup honey

✔ 1 cup carbonated water

✔ ¾ cup fresh lemon juice

✔ ¾ cup gin

✔ lemon wedges for garnish

*Good for four servings

The Verdict: 10/10 - Easy to make plus a guaranteed yum!

Perfect for: Happy drinks!

7. White Rum Pineapple

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

✔ 1 part white rum

Combine the ingredients in a large pitcher. Serve over ice. Garnish each glass with pineapple slices and straw stirrers.

✔ 1 part pineapple juice

✔ A handful of ice cubes

*Good for several servings

The Verdict: 10/10 - Try it to know why

Perfect for: Party starters! If you want your guests to start dancing and talking, serve this. It's a summer vibe for the holidays.

8. Inspired by Jamie Boudreau's Naughty or Nice Punch

liquor.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

✔ 2 parts Pinot Noir Wine

Combine the ingredients in a large bowl. Serve with ice. Garnish each glass with blood orange slices or wheels.

✔ 2 parts Chardonnay Wine

✔ 1 part Cognac

✔ 1 part Maraschino liqueur

✔ 3 parts Ginger ale

*Good for several servings

The Verdict: 9/10 - Ingredients are a little bit on the pricey side but definitely so yummy!

Perfect for: Welcome drinks with a very fancy vibe.

9. Bakeaholic Mama's Winter Sangria

bakeaholicmama.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

✔ 1 bottle sweet red wine

Combine the ingredients in a large bowl. Serve with ice. Garnish each glass with rosemary.

Our verdict: 9/10 - Just cause some of the ingredients can be difficult to source. But definitely a party pick-me-upper

Perfect for: Welcome drinks and pairing with pasta dishes

10. Easy Blender Eggnog

realsimple.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

✔ 2 cups heavy cream

In a medium saucepan, bring the heavy cream, sugar, and nutmeg just to a simmer. In a blender, blend the eggs on low speed for 1 minute. With the motor running, gradually add the hot cream mixture. Blend until frothy, about 30 seconds more. Add the brandy and blend to combine. Serve warm.

✔ ¼ cup sugar

✔ ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

✔ 4 large eggs

✔ ¾ cup brandy

✔ optional: cinnamon powder

*Good for four servings

Our verdict: 8.5/10 - We love it! We're just not big fans of eggnog.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to try eggnog and does not want to be disappointed.

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Have you tried any of the drinks we listed above? Tell us if it's worth upsizing!